Redford will repay $3,100 in costs for daughter’s friend on government flights

James Wood and Darcy Henton, Calgary Herald03.03.2014

Premier Alison Redford Alberta Premier Alison Redford has suspended the use of government aircraft for out-of-province travel during a review of travel expenses by the provincial auditor.Topher Seguin

Wildrose MLA Rob Anderson said Premier Alison Redford’s offer to repay some questionable travel expenses was a distraction from the real issue, that Redford “continually chooses to fly in the lap of luxury.”Ed Kaiser
/ Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON — An emotional Premier Alison Redford said Tuesday she will pay back approximately $3,100 relating to the use of government aircraft for personal use, but rebuffed opposition calls to repay the hefty price tag for her trip to South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s memorial.

Amid growing controversy over her travel expenditures, the premier asked auditor general Merwan Saher to determine whether her office is in compliance with the government’s own travel and expense policy.

She has also suspended the use of government aircraft for out-of-province travel pending Saher’s review.

Redford, her voice breaking at times, told reporters she had asked her staff to review her flight records and found five questionable instances.

In one case, Redford took a government aircraft in March 2013 to Vancouver, where she and her daughter, Sarah, attended a family funeral. The premier then met officials with the Asia Pacific Foundation and Consul General of India.

Redford said there were also four instances in which a friend of her daughter accompanied them on a government flight.

“At the end of the day, I’m the premier of Alberta but I’m also a mother to a daughter who I like to spend time with,” said Redford.

“On a few occasions when I know that my (travel) schedule will be demanding, I have encouraged Sarah to bring along a friend so that she has company.

“But, upon reflection, taxpayers should not have to pay any of the costs that are associated with my daughters’ friend’s travel.”

The revelations come as Redford continues to come under heavy fire over the $45,000 tab for the South Africa trip in December.

The trip included a $15,000 flight to Ottawa on an Alberta government plane to catch a free ride on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s jet, a $10,000 commercial flight home instead of returning with Harper the same day, and $20,000 for the travel costs of an aide to accompany her to South Africa.

Wildrose MLA Rob Anderson said Tuesday’s announcement was a distraction from the real issue — the South Africa trip and other questionable expenses.

“This isn’t about her daughter. This isn’t about her friends. No one is attacking that,” he told reporters. “What we’re talking about is someone who continually chooses to fly in the lap of luxury.”

A new Leger poll commissioned by the Herald shows nearly eight in 10 Albertans believe she should repay all or part of the South Africa expense.

In the first question period of the spring legislative session, Redford faced immediate demands from Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith and Liberal Leader Raj Sherman to repay the cost.

But the Tory leader insisted she was acting in her official capacity on the Mandela trip, even if mistakes were made in the travel planning. The premier noted she had apologized for the cost and taken responsibility.

“I clearly stood up in front of Albertans and said ‘I screwed up’,” Redford said.

All three opposition parties said it’s time to permanently ground Alberta’s fleet of four aircraft used by cabinet ministers, which has been derided by critics for years as a wasteful indulgence by the government.

“It’s unnecessary to have all these government planes available just to have ministers fly around on a whim,” said Sherman.

NDP Leader Brian Mason said there is a double standard where the premier and her staffers rack up expensive travel bills and enjoy high compensation levels while the government imposes wage freezes and pension changes on public sector workers.

Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt said Redford was “trying to get ahead” of an issue that is causing major political damage.

However, the issue has already thrown the government off message during what was supposed to be a positive week with the throne speech and Thursday’s provincial budget, he said.

jwood@calgaryherald.com

FACTBOX

Premier Alison Redford agreed Tuesday to repay money for four trips taken by her daughter’s friends who were on government flights, and for a trip by the premier and her daughter to Vancouver for a family funeral in March 2013.

Calgary-Edmonton, Aug. 27, 2013

Edmonton-Calgary, Aug. 28, 2013

Total: $540

Calgary-Toronto, July 21, 2013

Total: $400

Calgary-Hinton, June 28, 2013

Hinton-Calgary, June 30, 2013

Total: $296

Calgary-Hinton, Sept. 2012

Hinton-Calgary

Total: $296

Calgary-Vancouver, March 22, 2013

Vancouver-Calgary, March 25, 2013

Total: $1,440

Hotel: $184.03

Total: $3,156.03

Source: Premier’s staff

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Share

Redford will repay $3,100 in costs for daughter’s friend on government flights